February 20, 1945
Today in World War II Pacific History
Day by day chronology

TUESDAY, 20 FEBRUARY 1945

CHINA THEATER (Fourteenth Air Force): In China, 34 P-51s pound locomotives, railroad cars, and other targets of opportunity at Tsingtao and Puchi; about 30 other fighter-bombers on armed reconnaissance hit targets of opportunity (mainly rail and river traffic) at scattered locations including Changsha, Lohochai, Tsingtao, Chukiatsi, N of Lingling, and between Siangsiang and Siangtan.

INDIA-BURMA THEATER (Tenth Air Force): In Burma, 44 P-47s fly close support strikes in the Mongmit battle sector; 8 support ground forces in the Namhsan area; 13 P-38s severely damage a bridge at Mong Long; nearly 100 P-47s and P-38s pound troop concentrations, supply and ammunition dumps, and general targets of opportunity behind enemy lines. Large-scale transport operations continue. The 164th Liaison Squadron (Commando), 1st Air Commando Group, moves from Assansol, India to Shwebo with UC-64s and L-5s.

AAFPOA (Seventh Air Force): Two Guam based B-24s on an armed reconnaissance flight bomb Marcus. During the night of 20/21 Feb, seven B-24s flying individual raids, bomb Okimura and airfield on Haha Jima. The air echelon of the 549th Night Fighter Squadron begins operating from Saipan with P-61s (ground echelon is enroute from Hawaii to Iwo Jima).

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA [SWPA, Far East Air Force (FEAF)]: B-24s bomb runways and warehouse at Jesselton Airfield. Buildings at Puerto Princesa and underground installation on Corregidor are pounded. 63 B-25's of the 345th BG and the 38th BG and covered by 32 P-47 's of the 35th FG off Clark Field hit Choshu and also hit railroad yards, vehicles, railway rolling stock, and buildings. One B-25 was lost and P-47D "Nancie-A" 42-28493 (MIA). HQ 380th Bombardment Group (Heavy) moves from Darwin to San Jose. The 23d Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), 5th Bombardment Group (Heavy) moves from Morotai to Guiuan Airfield.